Engaging Hearts in the Letter to Philemon: a Case of Persuasion

In this letter Paul engages the reader with passion and rhetoric. He commends Onesimus, his new son, who is a slave to his owner, Philemon, a house church leader. Paul persuades Philemon to give brotherly love to Onesimus and to give meaning and authenticity to himself and the Christian identity in the early Church. The thesis outlines the men’s probable background and speculates regarding the motivation for Onesimus’ absence from Philemon’s household. Paul, a humble servant of Christ, employs various emotionally intense rhetorical strategies to persuade. His aim is to implement the theological truths of justification and the mystical body of Christ incorporating all baptized believers as children of God as the form to shape lives and relationships. Paul desires truth, obedience and authenticity. Onesimus had become a new person in Christ. Philemon, with discernment, would give authentic meaning to living the gospel by welcoming his beloved brother.Master of Theology (ThM